I loved him ever since I was a little boy growing up in South Central Los Angeles. We had his records. Every Harry Belafonte TV appearance was Must-See Family Viewing in our house. We loved his smart, entertaining music variety specials. We saw his movies on TV and on the big screen -- his three films with Dorothy Dandridge: 1953's BRIGHT ROAD, 1954's CARMEN JONES for which Dandridge received her groundbreaking Best Actress Oscar nomination, and 1957's ISLAND IN THE SUN. At the drive-in, we saw him in THE WORLD, THE FLESH AND THE DEVIL and ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW. He showed his skills as a character actor in 1972's BUCK AND THE PREACHER, a western co-starring and directed by Sidney Poitier.
He spoke words of wisdom as a character in Spike Lee's Oscar-winning 2019 film based on a true story, BlacKkKlansman. Harry Belafonte received an honorary Oscar in 2014.
We saw his tears and joined him in grief as we watched the live 1968 network news telecast of Dr. Martin Luther King's funeral. Belafonte sat with King's family as he attended his assassinated friend's funeral. Belafonte had also attended Dr. King's historic 1963 March on Washington
Harry Belafonte was a singer, a true and trailblazing show business icon, a stage and screen actor, a Civil Rights activist and a great humanitarian. He was an elegant, earthy warrior. His work, his words and his wisdom had a tremendous impact on my life and career goals. I loved him deeply and dearly. He will be missed.
In a fine documentary by my friend, Joan Walsh, I am extremely proud to have been a contributor. Joan and I are seen in this short promo for her documentary.
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